Perry Molinoff, a renowned neuroscientist and the former chairman of the Department of Pharmacology at Penn, has been named Vice Provost for Research, effective immediately. Molinoff was the A.N. Richards Professor of Pharmacology and chairman from 1981 to 1995.

An expert on the structure and function of cell membrane receptors involved in signal transduction, Molinoff’s research has led to a greater understanding and treatment of diseases ranging from heart failure to schizophrenia.

Molinoff returns to Penn from the private sector, where he worked as vice president of neuroscience and genitourinary drug discovery at the Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Research Institute and most recently as executive vice president for research and development at Palatin Technologies.

“It is a real honor to be given the opportunity to contribute to the future growth of this great institution,” said Molinoff.

Molinoff will oversee Penn’s $600 million research enterprise and direct policy issues relating to animal and human research and clinical trials.